Best Games of 2020: Every Platform, Every Genre Ranked

Here is the updated list of Best Games of 2020 of all Platforms in one place.

The Last of Us Part II won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020, claiming 7 awards including Best Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Performance. That made it the most decorated game in show history at the time.

However, 2020 produced one of the strongest game libraries of the decade — spanning Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch, Hades on PC, Persona 5 Royal on PS4, and Half-Life: Alyx in VR.

This Axeetech guide covers all of them, organized by platform, genre, and critical score.

Why 2020 Was a Defining Year for Gaming

COVID-19 lockdowns reshaped how people spent their time. Game sales surged globally as millions stayed home. Nintendo reported that Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 11.77 million copies in its first three days, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo Switch game in franchise history at that point.

November 2020 brought two new console generations simultaneously. The Xbox Series X launched on November 10, the PS5 on November 12 in the US and November 19 worldwide. Both consoles arrived with notable titles, including Astro’s Playroom, Demon’s Souls, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Consequently, 2020 marks a rare year where both old-gen and new-gen gaming defined the library simultaneously.

The Game Awards 2020 was the first virtual ceremony in the show’s history, streaming live from Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo at once. The Last of Us Part II received 11 nominations — more than any game in show history at that time — and won 7, also a record. Furthermore, a defining tension shaped 2020’s discourse: TLOU2 dominated awards, yet the indie game Hades was the year’s most cohesively executed title. That debate still resonates in 2026.

Also on Axeetech.com: Best Games of 2021

The Game Awards 2020 — Official Winners

The Game Awards 2020 took place on December 10, 2020. Geoff Keighley hosted from Los Angeles. The Last of Us Part II led with 11 nominations and won 7, while Hades, Ghost of Tsushima, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Among Us each won 2.

Award Category	Winner
Game of the Year	The Last of Us Part II
Best Game Direction	The Last of Us Part II
Best Narrative	The Last of Us Part II
Best Art Direction	Ghost of Tsushima
Best Score and Music	Final Fantasy VII Remake
Best Performance	Laura Bailey as Abby in The Last of Us Part II
Best Action Game	Hades
Best Action/Adventure Game	The Last of Us Part II
Best RPG	Final Fantasy VII Remake
Best Family Game	Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Best Sports/Racing Game	Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
Best Multiplayer Game	Among Us
Best Mobile Game	Among Us
Best Indie Game	Hades
Best Sim/Strategy Game	Microsoft Flight Simulator
Best VR/AR Game	Half-Life: Alyx
Innovation in Accessibility	The Last of Us Part II
Best Community Support	No Man’s Sky

Key fact: The Last of Us Part II won 7 awards, the most in Game Awards history at the time. It received 11 nominations, also a record. Hades won 2 awards (Best Indie and Best Action). So did Ghost of Tsushima, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Among Us.

The 2020 GOTY Debate: TLOU2 vs Hades

The Last of Us Part II divided audiences in a way few AAA games have. Its Metacritic critic score was 93. Its user score was 5.7 — one of the most dramatic critic-to-user gaps in gaming history. Review bombing was widely reported following the game’s June 2020 release.

Hades, by contrast, scored 93 on Metacritic with almost no user controversy. Many critics argued it was the more deserving GOTY winner. Kotaku’s Ian Walker directly criticized the TLOU2 Best Direction win, arguing Hades deserved it for Supergiant Games’ approach to game development.

Both positions have merit. TLOU2 is the most technically ambitious single-player game of 2020. Hades is the most cohesively designed. The conversation that followed produced one of gaming’s most interesting annual debates and remains relevant for any player building a 2020 backlog.

Top 20 Best Games of 2020

Before the full entries, here is a quick reference table for the top 10. Scores are from Metacritic.

Game	Developer	Platform(s)	Metacritic	Still Worth Playing
Persona 5 Royal	Atlus	PS4, PC, Switch	94 (PS4)	Yes
The Last of Us Part II	Naughty Dog	PS4, PS5	93	Yes
Hades	Supergiant Games	PC, Switch, later console	93	Yes
Half-Life: Alyx	Valve	PC VR	93	Yes (VR only)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps	Moon Studios	Switch, Xbox, PC	93 (Switch)	Yes
Animal Crossing: New Horizons	Nintendo	Switch	90	Yes
Spelunky 2	Mossmouth	PS4, PC	90	Yes
Microsoft Flight Simulator	Asobo Studio	PC, Xbox	90	Yes
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2	Vicarious Visions	PS4, Xbox, PC, Switch	90	Yes
Ghost of Tsushima	Sucker Punch	PS4, PS5	83	Yes

1. Persona 5 Royal

Developer: Atlus / Publisher: Atlus / Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch / Metacritic: 94 (PS4)

Persona 5 Royal is the highest Metacritic-scored game of 2020 at 94 on PS4. Most GOTY lists underrank it because it expanded the 2017 Persona 5 release. However, the Royal edition adds a full new semester, a new character arc, a new confidant, and significant gameplay changes that justify it as a standalone experience.

Protagonist Joker leads the Phantom Thieves of Hearts through Metaverse dungeons to reform corrupt adults by stealing their desires. Shoji Meguro’s soundtrack is one of the best in JRPG history. The social simulation between dungeon runs gives the game a depth that competitors in the genre rarely match.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is now available on PC, Xbox, and Switch as well as PS4.

2. The Last of Us Part II

Developer: Naughty Dog / Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Platforms: PS4, PS5 / Metacritic: 93

The Last of Us Part II is the most technically ambitious single-player game of 2020. Set five years after the original, the story follows Ellie seeking revenge in a post-apocalyptic Seattle. However, the game’s most controversial choice is its decision to make you play as Abby, the game’s apparent antagonist, for half the runtime.

Naughty Dog pushed PS4 hardware to its absolute limit. Animation, lighting, and environmental detail exceeded anything on the platform at the time. The game won 7 awards at The Game Awards 2020 and remains the most decorated game in show history by wins in a single year.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is available with PS5 enhancements and is essential for any fan of narrative games.

3. Hades

Developer: Supergiant Games / Publisher: Supergiant Games / Platforms: PC, Switch, later PS4/PS5/Xbox / Metacritic: 93

Hades follows Zagreus, son of Hades, as he repeatedly attempts to escape the Underworld. Each run through procedurally generated rooms advances a continuous narrative, which is the key innovation. The story does not pause for gameplay. Both systems develop simultaneously.

Supergiant Games previously created Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. Each was distinctive. Hades surpasses all of them by merging their best qualities. Every weapon, boon, and relationship feels designed by a single guiding vision. In addition, the Greek mythology cast — including Hypnos, Nyx, Megaera, and the Olympians — give the world genuine personality.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is one of the most replayable games ever made and available on every platform including iOS.

4. Ghost of Tsushima

Developer: Sucker Punch Productions / Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Platforms: PS4, PS5 / Metacritic: 83

Ghost of Tsushima puts you in the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai defending Tsushima Island against the first Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274. The open world is exceptional. Every environment was composed to look like a living painting, which earned the game Best Art Direction at The Game Awards 2020.

The game offers two combat philosophies. The Way of the Samurai is honorable and direct. The Way of the Ghost is stealth-based and pragmatic. This choice creates genuine tension between Jin’s identity and the demands of war.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. The Director’s Cut adds the Iki Island expansion with additional story content.

5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Developer: Nintendo EPD / Publisher: Nintendo / Platform: Nintendo Switch / Metacritic: 90

Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched on March 20, 2020, eight days after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Its timing was coincidental but defining. The game let players build and customize a private island, visit friends’ islands, and live at their own pace. It became a social lifeline for millions during lockdown.

Nintendo reported 11.77 million copies sold in the first three days — the fastest Switch launch in franchise history at that time. The game went on to sell over 43 million copies. Furthermore, world leaders, celebrities, and public events used the game’s island format for real-world purposes during 2020.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. The free 2.0 update added cooking, expanded islands, and Brewster’s Café.

6. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Developer: Moon Studios / Publisher: Xbox Game Studios / Platforms: Xbox, PC, Switch / Metacritic: 93 (Switch)

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to 2015’s Ori and the Blind Forest. The platforming is fluid and precise, with a movement system that rewards mastery. The visual design is among the most beautiful of any game released in 2020 — hand-crafted environments lit with painterly precision.

Moon Studios built everything around emotional resonance. The story is brief, clear, and genuinely moving. The combat system expanded significantly from the original, adding more variety to what was already an excellent core loop.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. The Switch version performs exceptionally and scored the highest Metacritic of any platform version.

7. Final Fantasy VII Remake

Developer: Square Enix / Publisher: Square Enix / Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox / Metacritic: 87

Final Fantasy VII Remake retells the Midgar section of the 1997 original in full — a portion of the source game that lasted roughly 5 hours now spans a 35-hour action RPG. Cloud Strife, Barrett Wallace, Tifa Lockhart, and Aerith Gainsborough return with fully realized modern characterization.

The game won Best Score and Music and Best RPG at The Game Awards 2020. Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, and Mitsuto Suzuki composed the soundtrack together. The active combat system blends real-time action with tactical pause-and-command gameplay.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues the story and makes this Remake essential context.

8. DOOM Eternal

Developer: id Software / Publisher: Bethesda Softworks / Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch / Metacritic: 88 (PC)

DOOM Eternal is a first-person shooter built entirely around aggressive movement and resource management. Standing still gets you killed. The Doom Slayer must chain melee kills, chainsaw executions, and flamethrower attacks to generate health, ammo, and armor respectively. The loop is relentless.

Mick Gordon’s soundtrack is one of the most aggressive in gaming. Director Hugo Martin and the id Software team pushed the combat density of 2016’s DOOM to its limit and beyond. The result is a game that demands full attention and rewards it consistently.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. The campaign and Ancient Gods DLC together form one of the best FPS packages available.

9. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Developer: Insomniac Games / Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Platforms: PS5, PS4 / Metacritic: 85 (PS5)

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales launched alongside PS5 in November 2020. Miles Morales takes over from Peter Parker as New York’s Spider-Man while Peter travels abroad. The story is shorter than the 2018 original but more focused. The Harlem setting gives the game a distinct cultural identity.

Miles’s bio-electric venom powers and camouflage ability differentiate his combat entirely from Peter’s. The game won Best Action/Adventure at NAVGTR and received the Best Performance nomination for Nadji Jeter at The Game Awards.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is available on PC and remains an excellent introductory open-world game.

10. Microsoft Flight Simulator

Developer: Asobo Studio / Publisher: Xbox Game Studios / Platforms: PC, Xbox / Metacritic: 90 (PC)

Microsoft Flight Simulator recreates the entire surface of Earth using satellite imagery, Bing Maps data, and AI-generated terrain. The result is a photorealistic simulation that lets you fly over your own home, city, or anywhere on the planet. The scale of the technical achievement has no parallel in 2020 gaming.

The game won Best Sim/Strategy at The Game Awards 2020 and scored 90 on Metacritic. Asobo Studio received recognition it had rarely achieved before for this effort.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It received significant free updates, including the 40th Anniversary Edition, and remains the benchmark for simulation gaming.

11. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2

Developer: Vicarious Visions / Publisher: Activision / Platforms: PS4, Xbox, PC, Switch, PS5 / Metacritic: 90

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 faithfully rebuilt the first two games from 1999 and 2000 with modern controls, visuals, and online multiplayer. Every original level, skater, and soundtrack track returned intact. Vicarious Visions added a create-a-park mode and online park sharing on top.

The game won Best Sports/Racing at The Game Awards 2020. It achieved the rare feat of satisfying both nostalgic players who grew up with the originals and new players encountering the franchise for the first time.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes, though Vicarious Visions was absorbed into Blizzard and future updates ceased. The core game remains excellent.

12. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio / Publisher: SEGA / Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC / Metacritic: 85 (PS4)

Yakuza: Like a Dragon reinvents the 14-year-old Yakuza franchise by switching from real-time brawling to turn-based JRPG combat. The new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, is a Dragon Quest superfan who literally imagines his battles as an RPG. The self-aware conceit works completely.

The story follows Ichiban’s rise from nothing after being betrayed and imprisoned for 18 years. The Yokohama setting is dense with side activities, substories, and absurd humor. It was the Xbox Series X’s strongest third-party launch title on day one.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. The sequel, Yakuza: Like a Dragon Gaiden and Like a Dragon: Ishin, make this the ideal entry into an ongoing series.

13. Astro’s Playroom

Developer: Team Asobi / Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Platform: PS5 / Metacritic: 83

Astro’s Playroom ships preloaded on every PS5 at no cost. It uses every DualSense feature simultaneously — haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, speaker, touchpad, and gyroscope. No other game in 2020 demonstrated the PS5 controller as comprehensively.

Team Asobi filled the game with PlayStation history references across four themed worlds. SSD Speedway, Memory Meadow, Cooling Springs, and GPU Jungle each celebrate a different PlayStation era. Consequently, the game functions as both a tech showcase and an interactive museum of 25 years of PlayStation.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is free, takes 4-5 hours to complete, and remains the best DualSense showcase available.

14. Half-Life: Alyx

Developer: Valve / Publisher: Valve / Platform: PC VR / Metacritic: 93

Half-Life: Alyx is a VR-exclusive first-person game set between Half-Life and Half-Life 2. You play as Alyx Vance. The game requires a VR headset and remains the most technically accomplished VR game ever released. Environmental interaction, physics-based puzzles, and combat all reach a level of fidelity no other VR title has matched.

Valve designed every system specifically for VR rather than adapting a flat-screen game. The headcrab encounters alone justify the format. Half-Life: Alyx won Best VR/AR Game at The Game Awards 2020 and scored 93 on Metacritic.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is the definitive reason to own a VR headset. It requires either Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, or compatible hardware.

15. Among Us

Developer: Innersloth / Publisher: Innersloth / Platforms: iOS, Android, PC, Switch, Xbox / Metacritic: 85 (Switch)

Among Us launched in 2018 but became a global phenomenon in 2020 during lockdowns. Players manage a spaceship while hidden impostors attempt to eliminate crewmates. The social deduction format is simple to explain and endlessly variable in practice.

Innersloth is a three-person studio. The game’s viral success during COVID-19 lockdowns produced one of the most unexpected cultural moments in gaming. It won Best Multiplayer and Best Mobile at The Game Awards 2020. Furthermore, it is free on iOS and Android, making it accessible to virtually anyone.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. Updates added new maps, roles, and cosmetics. It is still actively played with large communities on PC and mobile.

16. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Developer: Toys for Bob / Publisher: Activision / Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch / Metacritic: 85 (PS4)

Crash Bandicoot 4 is the first original 3D Crash Bandicoot game since 1998’s Crash Bandicoot: Warped. Toys for Bob built new movement abilities around quantum masks that slow time, invert gravity, rotate platforms, and phase through dimensions. The result is a hardcore platformer that respects the legacy while modernizing the formula.

The level design is dense and demanding. Completionists face one of 2020’s most challenging games. However, a more casual mode removes gem requirements and makes it accessible to younger players.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is one of the best 3D platformers of the decade.

17. Spelunky 2

Developer: Mossmouth / Publisher: Mossmouth / Platforms: PS4, PC, Switch / Metacritic: 90 (PS4)

Spelunky 2 is the sequel to Derek Yu’s 2012 Spelunky, considered one of the most influential indie games ever made. The sequel expands the original’s structure with new worlds, characters, mechanics, and secrets. Multiplayer, both local and online, supports up to four players.

The game scored 90 on Metacritic and appeared on most year-end critical lists. It demands patience and rewards deep knowledge of its systems. Consequently, every successful run feels genuinely earned.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. Spelunky 2 is the deepest roguelike released in 2020 and has no expiration date.

18. Spiritfarer

Developer: Thunder Lotus Games / Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games / Platforms: PS4, Xbox, PC, Switch / Metacritic: 85 (Switch)

Spiritfarer puts you in the role of Stella, a ferrymaster for souls. You build a boat, befriend spirits, and guide them to the afterlife by fulfilling their final wishes. The management simulation framework is calm, structured, and rewarding. The emotional weight of each farewell hits differently depending on when you play it.

Thunder Lotus drew from real experiences with loss to write the game’s characters. Several players have described it as genuinely helpful during periods of grief. It was nominated for Best Indie at The Game Awards 2020.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. The Farewell Edition added free content and new spirits. It is one of the best games about mortality ever made.

19. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Developer: Vanillaware / Publisher: Atlus / Platform: PS4 / Metacritic: 85

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a sci-fi visual novel with real-time strategy battles. Thirteen protagonists navigate a nonlinear narrative set across multiple time periods, all converging on a kaiju invasion. The storytelling is extraordinarily complex and rewards players who pay close attention.

Vanillaware’s art direction is hand-crafted at a level few studios attempt. The 2D environments are dense with detail and atmosphere. The game received almost no marketing attention in the West and consequently appeared on almost no GOTY lists despite scores that justified inclusion.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is one of the most original narrative games of the decade and was ported to Switch in 2022.

20. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Developer: Mediatonic / Publisher: Devolver Digital (later Epic Games) / Platforms: PC, PS4, then Xbox/Switch / Metacritic: 80 (PC)

Fall Guys launched in August 2020 and became one of the year’s most-played games within days. The Battle Royale party game pits 60 bean-shaped characters against each other in minigame gauntlets. The accessible design made it equally appealing to hardcore players and newcomers.

The game defined a subgenre. It was the most downloaded PlayStation Plus game in August 2020 within its first month. In addition, it became free-to-play in 2022 after Epic Games acquired Mediatonic.

Still worth playing in 2026? Yes. It is now free on all platforms and receives regular seasonal content.

Best Games of 2020 by Platform

Best PS4 Games of 2020

The PS4 delivered its strongest exclusive lineup in its final year before PS5. No other year produced this concentration of Sony first-party quality on a single platform.

Top picks: The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog), Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch), Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix), Persona 5 Royal (Atlus), DOOM Eternal (id Software).

The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima are the two strongest PS4 exclusives of the year. Persona 5 Royal has the highest Metacritic score of any 2020 release at 94.

Best PS5 Launch Games of 2020

PS5 launched November 12 in the United States and November 19 worldwide. The launch lineup was lean but included standout titles that demonstrated the hardware’s capabilities immediately.

Top picks: Astro’s Playroom (Team Asobi, free on every PS5), Demon’s Souls (Bluepoint Games, Metacritic: 92), Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Insomniac Games, Metacritic: 85), Sackboy: A Big Adventure (Sumo Digital).

Demon’s Souls is the strongest paid PS5 launch title, scoring 92 on Metacritic. Astro’s Playroom is the best showcase of DualSense technology and ships at no cost on every console.

Best Xbox Series X Launch Games of 2020

Xbox Series X launched on November 10, 2020. Microsoft did not have a major exclusive launch title available. However, Xbox Game Pass gave players immediate access to a large library on day one.

Top picks: Yakuza: Like a Dragon (strongest third-party day-one title), Gears 5 (enhanced version), Ori and the Will of the Wisps (enhanced version), Halo: The Master Chief Collection (enhanced).

Most players used the Xbox Series X to experience existing games with enhanced frame rates and load times via the Smart Delivery system.

Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2020

The Switch had an exceptional 2020, anchored by a single historic launch in March.

Top picks: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo), Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios), Hades (Supergiant Games, launched September 2020), Paper Mario: The Origami King (Nintendo), Pikmin 3 Deluxe (Nintendo).

Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 11.77 million copies in three days — the fastest-selling Switch game at that time. Hades scored 93 on Metacritic and is the strongest third-party title on the platform that year.

Best PC Games of 2020

PC had the deepest library by volume in 2020, including the highest-rated game of the year.

Top picks: Persona 5 Royal (94 on OpenCritic), Hades (93), Half-Life: Alyx (93, VR required), Microsoft Flight Simulator (90), Crusader Kings III (91 on PC Metacritic), DOOM Eternal (88).

Crusader Kings III scored 91 on PC Metacritic, one of the highest-rated PC games of the year, yet appeared on almost no major GOTY lists.

Best Free-to-Play Games of 2020

Three free-to-play games dominated 2020 in terms of player counts and cultural reach.

Call of Duty: Warzone launched free in March 2020 and reached 75 million players within its first year — one of the fastest-growing free-to-play games in history. Among Us was free on iOS and Android and won Best Multiplayer and Best Mobile at The Game Awards 2020. Genshin Impact launched free in September 2020 and scored 84 on PC Metacritic.

Best VR Games of 2020

VR had its defining release in 2020. Half-Life: Alyx by Valve scored 93 on Metacritic, won Best VR/AR at The Game Awards 2020, and is widely considered the best VR game ever made. The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners was the strongest alternative VR release of the year. Half-Life: Alyx requires a PC-compatible headset.

Best Games of 2020 by Genre

Best Action Game of 2020

Winner: Hades (Supergiant Games, PC/Switch)

Hades won Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2020. The roguelike bullet-hell combat features weapon variety, Olympic god boons, and permanent progression. By near-universal consensus, it is the finest action game of the year.

Best RPG of 2020

Winner: Persona 5 Royal (Atlus, PS4)

Persona 5 Royal scored 94 on PS4 Metacritic — the highest Metacritic score of any 2020 release. The Phantom Thieves, Metaverse dungeons, and Shoji Meguro’s soundtrack make it essential. Runner-up: Final Fantasy VII Remake (87), which won Best RPG at The Game Awards.

Best Horror and Survival Game of 2020

Winner: The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog, PS4)

TLOU2 is a survival horror action-adventure set in post-apocalyptic America. Ellie and Abby share the narrative equally. The game’s technical execution in environments, animation, and sound design sets the standard for the genre in 2020.

Best Indie Game of 2020

Winner: Hades (Supergiant Games)

Hades won Best Indie at The Game Awards 2020. Runner-up: Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games), nominated for Best Indie and regarded as the most emotionally resonant indie of the year.

Best Sports Game of 2020

Winner: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 (Vicarious Visions / Activision)

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 won Best Sports/Racing at The Game Awards 2020 with a score of 90 on Metacritic. The rebuild of the first two original games is faithful, modern, and complete.

Best Multiplayer Game of 2020

Winner: Among Us (Innersloth)

Among Us won Best Multiplayer and Best Mobile at The Game Awards 2020. It is free on iOS and Android. It became a genuine cultural phenomenon during COVID-19 quarantine periods.

Best FPS of 2020

Winner: DOOM Eternal (id Software / Bethesda)

DOOM Eternal scored 88 on Metacritic and was nominated for Best Action Game and Best Audio Design at The Game Awards. The movement and combat systems are the most mechanically demanding in the FPS genre that year.

Best Simulation Game of 2020

Winner: Microsoft Flight Simulator (Asobo Studio / Xbox)

Microsoft Flight Simulator won Best Sim/Strategy at The Game Awards 2020. It uses real-world Bing Maps and satellite data to recreate Earth at an unprecedented scale. Metacritic: 90 on PC.

Best Nintendo Switch Exclusive of 2020

Winner: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 11.77 million copies in its opening three days. It won Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2020. It defined how millions of players spent their pandemic lockdowns in 2020.

Best JRPG of 2020

Winner: Persona 5 Royal (Atlus, PS4)

Persona 5 Royal scores 94 on PS4 Metacritic. Runner-up: Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio / SEGA), which earned 85 on Metacritic and represents the first turn-based entry in the franchise.

Best Roblox Games of 2020

While major studios competed for awards, Roblox experienced one of its most significant years in 2020. COVID-19 lockdowns drove a surge in younger players to the platform. Daily active users grew from 17.6 million in 2019 to over 32.6 million by the end of 2020, an 85% year-over-year increase. Roblox became a primary social and gaming hub for millions of younger players confined to their homes.

Several Roblox community-built games became defining titles of 2020:

• Adopt Me! (Uplift Games) reached over 1.5 million concurrent players in 2020, making it one of the most-played games in the world at that time. Pet trading updates throughout the year drove record engagement.
• Piggy (MiniToon) launched in January 2020 and rapidly became one of the most-played Roblox games. The horror-survival concept grew into a cross-platform franchise.
• Brookhaven RP (Wolfpaq) entered the top five most-played Roblox games in 2020 and remained consistently high throughout the year.
• Jailbreak (Badimo) maintained top-chart performance with major updates adding new vehicles, locations, and mechanics during the year.
• Royale High (callmehbob) saw major growth during the pandemic period as players sought social and creative outlets.
• Murder Mystery 2 (Nikilis) held strong consistent player counts throughout 2020 with seasonal events driving engagement.

Underrated and Overlooked Games of 2020

Every strong gaming year produces titles that fall through the cracks of year-end attention. These five games from 2020 deserved significantly more recognition than they received.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (Vanillaware / Atlus, PS4) is a sci-fi visual novel with real-time strategy battles, built around 13 intersecting narratives set across multiple time periods. It is one of the most narratively original games of the decade. Metacritic: 85. It was almost entirely absent from major GOTY discussions despite its quality.

Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games, multiplatform) is a management sim about guiding spirits to the afterlife as their ferryman. It is emotionally devastating in the best way and draws from real experiences with grief. Nominated for Best Indie at The Game Awards but lost to Hades.

Carrion (Phobia Game Studio / Devolver Digital, multiplatform) reverses the typical horror formula — you play as the monster. A flesh creature escapes a research facility by consuming and growing. Short, memorable, and entirely unique in its approach.

Crusader Kings III (Paradox Development Studio, PC) is a grand strategy RPG that scored 91 on PC Metacritic. It is one of the highest-rated PC games of 2020 and one of the deepest strategy games ever released. Almost completely absent from major GOTY lists despite its critical standing.

Astro’s Playroom (Team Asobi, PS5) shipped free and preloaded on every PS5. It demonstrates DualSense haptics, adaptive triggers, the speaker, touchpad, and gyroscope simultaneously. Metacritic: 83. Most year-end lists excluded it because of its format, yet it remains one of the best free games ever shipped with a console.

Frequently Asked Questions

What won Game of the Year in 2020?

The Last of Us Part II, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony, won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020. It also won Best Direction, Best Narrative, Best Action/Adventure, Best Audio Design, Best Performance for Laura Bailey, and Innovation in Accessibility. It received 11 nominations, the most in show history at the time, and won 7, also a record.

What is the highest-rated game of 2020 on Metacritic?

Persona 5 Royal holds the highest Metacritic score of any 2020 release at 94 on PS4. The Last of Us Part II, Hades, Half-Life: Alyx, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps each scored 93. Persona 5 Royal is frequently underranked in GOTY discussions because it expanded the 2017 original, but the added content justifies treating it as a distinct release.

Should Hades have won GOTY in 2020 instead of The Last of Us Part II?

This remains one of gaming’s most debated GOTY questions. Hades scored 93 on Metacritic with essentially no user controversy. The Last of Us Part II scored 93 from critics but received a 5.7 user score from review bombing. Kotaku’s Ian Walker argued Hades was more deserving. Both positions have genuine merit. TLOU2 is technically superior. Hades is more cohesively designed.

What is the best PS5 launch game of 2020?

Astro’s Playroom is the best PS5 launch experience and ships preloaded on every console at no cost. Demon’s Souls, remade by Bluepoint Games, scored 92 on Metacritic and is the strongest paid PS5 launch title. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales scored 85 on PS5 and appeals to the broadest audience of the launch lineup.

What is the best Nintendo Switch game of 2020?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the most iconic Switch game of 2020, selling 11.77 million copies in its first three days, the fastest Switch launch in franchise history at that time. Hades launched on Switch in September 2020 and scored 93 on Metacritic. It is the strongest new franchise release on the platform that year.

What are the best free games of 2020?

Call of Duty: Warzone launched free in March 2020 and reached 75 million players in its first year. Among Us was free on iOS and Android and won Best Multiplayer and Best Mobile at The Game Awards 2020. Genshin Impact launched free in September 2020 and scored 84 on PC Metacritic. Astro’s Playroom shipped free preloaded on every PS5.

Are the best games of 2020 still worth playing in 2026?

Yes. Hades is available on every major platform including iOS and remains one of the most recommended roguelikes. The Last of Us Part II has PS5 enhancements. Animal Crossing: New Horizons received major free updates through 2021. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut expanded the base game. Persona 5 Royal is now on PC, Xbox, and Switch at reduced prices.